by Hunter Rose, senior
Mr. Sharpe's Appalachian Studies class and Ms. Kinser's Ecology class went on a field trip to Bullitt Park in Big Stone Gap on Friday, October 12. Although both classes traveled together they each had different reasons to go on this trip.
The Appalachian Studies class went on this trip to learn about the native trees in this area and what the pioneers used those trees for. The Ecology class took part in this class so they can use it as learning material for learning binomial nomenclature.
Both classes are going to preserve the leaves and then place them throughout the school. The classes also had to research about the trees and find out things like the height, diameter, descriptions, and the scientific name. This field trip was useful to students because not only did they get out of class, but they also learn about the native trees in this area.
Keaton Ingle said, "I learned how to identify the trees based on their leaves." He also stated that he had an amazing time during the field trip. He has been on this same field trip twice, once when he was in Appalachian Studies and again this time in the Ecology class. Keaton also stated, "I had a better experience the second time on the field trip, and I learned more."
Tylan Jackson, a senior in the Appalachian Studies class, said, "I had an amazing time on this field trip." This is Tylan's first time going on this field trip and he said he wished the field trip could have lasted longer. Tylan also stated that he learned a lot about the native trees in this area and it was an fun to get out of the classroom and still be learning.
Both classes are currently pressing the leaves between wax paper along with a note card, labeling the scientific name, common name, height, diameter, bark, and three descriptions of the tree. We collected leaves from 13 different trees: Coniferous Cedar, Black Oak, Sugar Maple, Holly, Buckeye, White Oak, White Pine, Eastern Hemlock, Poplar, Sycamore, Sassafras, Beech, and Flowering Dogwood.
*Co-written by Keaton Ingle, senior.